Sea-Tac Notes Thanksgiving Travel Season Traffic & Tips

Published: November 21, 2011

(Seattle-November 18, 2011) - Next week kicks off the winter holiday travel season in what is now expected to be the busiest year ever at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The following includes the latest passenger traffic information for Sea-Tac, special offers, tips for travelers and links for additional information.

Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic Numbers at Sea-Tac Airport

The passenger forecast for the Thanksgiving period at Sea-Tac is expected to be about even with 2010 levels.

The busiest travel days for the Thanksgiving period are projected to be Sunday, November 27 (89,250 passengers), Wednesday, November 23 (88,767), and Monday, November 28 (85,050).

This period is NOT the busiest time of the year for Sea-Tac. The high days for the period are in the top third busiest days for the year, but they are well below summer averages.

An average summer day (June-August) will see about 100,000 passengers (inbound and outbound) through the airport and is the peak air travel time for Sea-Tac.

In terms of travelers, August is traditionally the busiest month of the year followed by July, June and May [by contrast December is 7th and November 10th].

2011 recorded the busiest months ever at Sea-Tac for the months of June (3.1 million), July (3.35 million) and August (3.37 million).

Sea-Tac Traffic for 2011

Overall, through September, 2011 passenger traffic is up 4% compared to 2010. That is ahead of the airport's projection of a 1% increase for the year.

Year-end traffic is now projected to be up 3.5% - 4% over 2010. That would exceed Sea-Tac's highest ever year in passenger traffic, back in 2008 with 32.1 million passengers.

Travelers can save as much as $10 per day during the Thanksgiving travel period with discounts at the airport garage. From November 18 -29, park at the Sea-Tac Airport garage for only $20 a day in the General Parking ($8 off our regular rate!) or only $25 a day in Terminal Direct, the fastest access to the terminal (and $10 off our regular daily rate!). Download a coupon from the airport website.

Thanksgiving Travel Tips

Do Some Advance Planning - Confirm your travel details and make sure the name on your boarding pass and your government-issued ID match.

Pack with Security in Mind - Know what is and isn't allowed in carry-ons and checked luggage by checking the TSA website.

Get your Boarding Pass Early - Print it online before you arrive or use convenient check-in kiosks in the airport garage or at airline check-in counters. Passengers with only carry-on baggage can go directly to the security checkpoint. Passengers with luggage can go to airline bag-check points.

Arrive at least two hours before your flight - give yourself time to get through security.

Park in the Airport Garage - Save time, stay dry and be close. No shuttles, covered skybridges and you are right next to the terminal.

Traveling Internationally? Sign-up for Global Entry

Frequent international travelers can significantly speed up their clearance process through U.S. Customs and Border Protection by enrolling in Global Entry, an expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the U.S. A five year membership is only $100. Visit the global entry website for more information.

Find more information on these and other travel tips for those heading to the airport or picking up passengers on our website.

Airport Media Guide

Looking for answers to questions for your article or news story? Check the Sea-Tac Airport Media Guide. You can find fast facts about the airport, the latest statistics on passengers and operations, even a link to airport history. There is also a list of who to call based on the question or incident.

About Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Operated by the Port of Seattle, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA, KSEA) is ranked as the 17th largest U.S. airport, serving more than 31.5 million passengers in 2010. With a regional economic impact of more than $13.2 billion in business revenue, Sea-Tac generates more than 161,000 jobs (89,902 direct jobs) representing more than $2.2 billion in direct earnings and $412.4 million in state and local taxes. Twenty-seven airlines serve 70 non-stop domestic destinations and 16 international cities.